Maka Kotto

[Festivals and Special Events, May 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women has refused the unanimous request of the National Assembly of Quebec to transfer funding for festivals. The minister said she wants to support small cultural events and not just big ones. However, the smallest-scale cultural events are the ones that are in desperate need of money.

When will the minister realize that her bungling is harmful to all the communities? Will she finally listen to reason and immediately transfer the proper share of the new funding to Quebec so that it can be distributed as soon as possible?

[Festivals and Special Events, May 28th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the National Assembly and festival organizers believe that the Government of Quebec is the only appropriate intermediary to distribute these funds. This would also make it possible to avoid another sponsorship scandal.

When will the Prime Minister transfer Quebec's share of the $60 million over two years, thereby avoiding negative financial and cultural consequences for many festivals?

[Festivals and Special Events, May 28th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, those answers suggest a certain degree of stubbornness, so I will ask the question again. The $60 million over two years to fund festivals taking place this summer is gathering dust in government coffers because the Minister of Canadian Heritage has so far been unable to determine criteria for the allocation of funds. This is unacceptable and threatens the survival of many of Quebec's 300 festivals.

Will the Prime Minister yield to the National Assembly's unanimous demands and transfer Quebec's share immediately given that the province already has criteria in place that members of the cultural community agree on?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I come back to museums. Cutting the museum support program has been the only concrete measure, with a significant impact, that the minister has offered the museum community. How can she justify her cuts?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, does the minister believe that Canadian Heritage should officially recognize the existence of a Quebec cinema distinct from Canadian cinema?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, despite the fact that the fund has played a critical role in the development of Quebec film industry, it does not contribute to the development of the film industry in all parts of Quebec. What does the minister intend to do to stimulate the development of culture in general and of cinema in particular in all regions of Quebec?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the objective of the feature film fund is to attract 5% of moviegoers, a percentage that was reached long ago in Quebec. Does the minister believe that the fund should take into account the different challenges facing the Quebec and Canadian film industries?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, film production costs are increasing but Telefilm's budget does not. In fact, Telefilm can finance fewer and fewer films when Quebec moviegoers want more and more. Why is the minister refusing to increase the feature film fund?

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, does the minister feel that the museums community is doing better since she has been in office, and why? Might I remind her that the community will be listening closely.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, when can we see this new museums policy?